Friday, May 15, 2009

Vista 64 bit Patch Finally Available for U.B.Funkeys

For quite some time now, people using the 64 bit version of Windows Vista have been unable to install and play U.B.Funkeys. It's been a constant question in each installment of Ask Funk-E and was said to be on the list of things that Mattel wanted to address. Well, that day has come!

Wags, a member of our forum recently called the tech support line at Mattel and asked again about the problem again. This time, the answer was quite welcome! The driver had been created to allow for the use of U.B.Funkeys on a 64 bit Vista computer...

They'll e-mail the files out if you want to call the Mattel tech support line at 800-803-9611. I thought I would also add them here for download if you'd like them that way. The following is the e-mail exactly as Mattel sent it out, and the two files are downloadable at the end of this post in a zip file...

Thank you for contacting Mattel regarding your U.B. Funkeys product..

Our records indicate that you were unable to install U.B. Funkeys on your Windows 64bit system. We have created a patch that will install the drivers need to play U.B. Funkeys. Attached are 2 files that will assist you with this process.

o The Patch Installer o Instructions for installing.

To avoid these files being blocked by Spam and E-mail Filters you will need to first change the name of the installer file.

o Save the Funkeys Patch.txt to your Desktop. o Right click on the downloaded file. o Select Rename. o Delete the txt and replace it with zip, hit enter. o Extract the files to the Desktop o Open the folder, and launch the exe file. o Follow the instructions in the README attachment to run the Patch.

Thank you again for contacting us. If you have any questions or concerns in the future, please feel free to call us at 800-803-9611, Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm, ET, and Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, ET.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

The Future of U.B.Funkeys: Don't Panic!

There has been a growing amount of chatter on the Funkeys blogs and discussion boards regarding the future of our favorite little guys (and gals). Many have taken the lack of updates in the game, the long span from the release of Hidden Realm, the dwindling of store stock (and even clearancing of some series) as tell-tale signs that the toy line and game are in trouble. I haven't been helping matters by being so quiet recently either, but let me assure you that my lack of posts has been strictly personal issues keeping me from getting to it. I still have plenty to post about!

But let me address the worries. I feel I need to now because there have been some recent changes at Mattel that once made more public will add fuel to the fire. The branch in Texas, where the Radica team currently resides is being shut down in the near future.

The following is not "official" from the company, but I have multiple sources within and outside Mattel and feel comfortable making the following claims...

1) Radica will continue as a subsidiary name under the Mattel umbrella.

2) The lines that were managed from the Texas facility that are still going to be produced will be moved to the California facility.

3) U.B.Funkeys is a growing, thriving line and WILL continue to be produced.

Beyond that, there has been a scheduling change that was actually made a while back but I never got around to posting about it here. The Series 5 - Paradox Green will be the next series to be released, NOT the DC line as originally planned last year. I know this will not come as a surprise to some who have been paying attention to what's being displayed at the shows and pre-selling to retailers now, but since it wasn't officially announced I thought it should be.

Hopefully as the dust settles on these changes at Mattel, Funk-E will have a chance to send some official updates on all things Funkey, but for now that's all the specific news I have to share on the future of the Funkeys line.

Hopefully one of the mods on the forum will start an official thread to discuss this post soon. For now I have to run. To all... Stay Funkey!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

U.B.Funkeys Promotional T-Shirt with Sprocket

As many of the forum members know, I scored a U.B.Funkeys T-Shirt last year that was part of a short run for promotional purposes. It is black and sports an awesome Sprocket design. Now just to be clear, this auction I came by on eBay is not mine! I LOVE mine and wear it often.

The auction is for a brand new (unworn) XL Size of the same shirt. If you're looking for a unique shirt and love Funkeys, this is the one for you!